Tried to run a very crummy 5km today. In hindsight, I shouldn't have run as hilly a course - my legs deserved a break. My legs felt like they had nothing, which was a combination of lots of running, training, gym and strength training, so fair enough!! And also, running without food - as much as I wish it wasn't an issue, I'm not sure it's for me. I had little spring in my step, and even after a walk break I felt sluggish. Just no energy in the hamstrings I guess.
Still, I was glad that I was out there attempting rather than just whining and attempting to sleep for a little longer.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Wednesday 6.6km
Ran after training again today. Was great. My legs were sore: mainly my calves and ankles, so that's a sign that running strength is coming back (and that guns hurt your legs). As well as this, there was a cardio battle, but that's getting better. I could feel my ankles hurting and my feet in my shoes, because of the lack of time on my feet. With time and experience...
First 2km uphill, ouch at the last bit, but I perservered. It sucks starting with hills because you need a rhythm and to get the blood flowing.
2-3kms downhill.
Had a break around 3.5km (18min), for 3minutes. Then I was back on track, and slowed a little.
3-4 short, up and down hilly
4-4.8, sharp downhill (although if you run up the other side, like I have a tendency to do, it's hard work), in preparation for a couple of 100ms running hard up the other side!!!
The rest home, just flat...oh boy, I like how this natural tendency to push myself harder at the end of each run is starting to kick in.
Felt great at the end (despite kinda dead). Ipod died too at about 4.5km (NOOOO!!), but it was great to run without it and to see how much I could really push myself, versus rely on distraction and ignorance.
40minutes.
First 2km uphill, ouch at the last bit, but I perservered. It sucks starting with hills because you need a rhythm and to get the blood flowing.
2-3kms downhill.
Had a break around 3.5km (18min), for 3minutes. Then I was back on track, and slowed a little.
3-4 short, up and down hilly
4-4.8, sharp downhill (although if you run up the other side, like I have a tendency to do, it's hard work), in preparation for a couple of 100ms running hard up the other side!!!
The rest home, just flat...oh boy, I like how this natural tendency to push myself harder at the end of each run is starting to kick in.
Felt great at the end (despite kinda dead). Ipod died too at about 4.5km (NOOOO!!), but it was great to run without it and to see how much I could really push myself, versus rely on distraction and ignorance.
40minutes.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Monday Run 4.5km
Ran tonight after training. Was a good run, clear skies and a full moon, pleasant temperature too (slightly warm after the first signs of Spring today). I had to walk about 30m after the 3rd km, but the running back after that was quite strong and stable, so I'm getting fitter. The hills were run pretty well; overall I'm happy.
4.5km (out and back 2.25km), 27.10ish
4.5km (out and back 2.25km), 27.10ish
Sunday, August 26, 2007
*sigh*
Well comp royally sucked. Not something I want to talk about, because I have no answers. I spent 9 1/2 hours in that competition hall, and my head was killing by the end of it, and I was so tired.
Things that I've learnt from/since:
*I really really didn't think I have been getting enough sleep at all. I only got 6 hours on Saturday night, and Friday night was not good either. So I was not well rested and refreshed. Also, I think I got sunburnt and was dehydrated from Saturday. I just slept last night, 11 hours, and I feel better today for it, even though I'm still exhausted.
*Tumbling rocks :D I want to start tumbling, but not sure if that's a possibility yet.
*Open DMT was my last event. I wasn't originally rostered on (at my request), but after stuffing up age, I wanted to change the record for the day. I didn't want to go home not having had accomplished or done a full event. So I made myself vulnerable by requesting to go into open...falling was not an option. Anything less than standing up was failure. I had to prove that I could do it: prove it to my teammates and my coaches. And I did. Two tiny steps on both passes (of an incredibly shit run up mat, DMT and landing zone).
So I think one of the reasons that worked was because I got angry. I had something I had to prove. I was determined, I had to prove the record and expectations of others wrong.
But how do I replicate that in comp? Because I don't want to always have one event which I have to get completlely wrong for me to be fired up. It's too risky.
I think also I just have to do double the routine work, especially full vols. I have to know so exactly what everything feels like. Just continuously churn out 10 skills. I didn't overthink tramp, I didn't underthink tramp - I just have no idea what happened. I think I have a real problem adjusting to other equipment - especially in terms of what to spot.
I don't think we're going to a qualifier or another comp for the rest of the year, which sucks, because now I'm in the right mindset to set the record straight. Not competing for four months kidna makes you forget.
Things that I've learnt from/since:
*I really really didn't think I have been getting enough sleep at all. I only got 6 hours on Saturday night, and Friday night was not good either. So I was not well rested and refreshed. Also, I think I got sunburnt and was dehydrated from Saturday. I just slept last night, 11 hours, and I feel better today for it, even though I'm still exhausted.
*Tumbling rocks :D I want to start tumbling, but not sure if that's a possibility yet.
*Open DMT was my last event. I wasn't originally rostered on (at my request), but after stuffing up age, I wanted to change the record for the day. I didn't want to go home not having had accomplished or done a full event. So I made myself vulnerable by requesting to go into open...falling was not an option. Anything less than standing up was failure. I had to prove that I could do it: prove it to my teammates and my coaches. And I did. Two tiny steps on both passes (of an incredibly shit run up mat, DMT and landing zone).
So I think one of the reasons that worked was because I got angry. I had something I had to prove. I was determined, I had to prove the record and expectations of others wrong.
But how do I replicate that in comp? Because I don't want to always have one event which I have to get completlely wrong for me to be fired up. It's too risky.
I think also I just have to do double the routine work, especially full vols. I have to know so exactly what everything feels like. Just continuously churn out 10 skills. I didn't overthink tramp, I didn't underthink tramp - I just have no idea what happened. I think I have a real problem adjusting to other equipment - especially in terms of what to spot.
I don't think we're going to a qualifier or another comp for the rest of the year, which sucks, because now I'm in the right mindset to set the record straight. Not competing for four months kidna makes you forget.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
An update...running
So, I've had a pretty fantastic week running-wise, in terms of numbers. Both frequency and kms: I think I may even break 20km this week!! That's the first time in AGES!!! Most likely a YEAR!
(Disclaimer: it's not because I'm terribly slack, it's just hard to be consistant when you're consistantly sore and tired from training 5x weekly. So I'm just consistant at being inconsistant).
Nothing has been stellar in terms of what others may perceive as 'high quality', but in terms of achieveing the important goals, I've done that.
Sunday: Want to know what a swamp smells like? I now know. The same with a mire. They smell like my shoes, which REEEEEK and still stink out the house, my room, my car, my feet, a 10km radius around them - anything, it doesn't matter. I can't get them to stop smelling, despite putting some 'anti odour' powder liberally through them.
The reason for this smell is because in the pouring rain on Sunday, I went for a 1hr50 minute run/walk adventure. I hadn't eaten breakfast beforehand either (some interesting research I need to conduct on this). I just went out with the aim of being totally relaxed, enjoying myself, and going for a long slow run. Important that I could still talk throughout it. I decided to try and have a consistant rest period, so I wouldn't get overtired.
So out I ran, decked out in my comfy comfy old old tights, a singlet, long sleeve shirt and iPod. After a while, the rain made it impossible for my iPod to stay in my ears - I hate that. So I ran with just one ear piece in for a while, and then neither. It was fun: I loved running through the local streets, smiling my head off, knowing that people were looking out of their car windows with amazement at the craziness I was demonstrating. I was soaked. At one point I stopped into my church to get a drink (and hoped no one would see a soaking me). I knew I hadn't worn great socks for running in the wet (--> blisters), so I decided to walk most of the way back to my car. My legs had no running left in them. But still, lots of fun, and lots of HILLS :D :D :D
Around 11.5-12km (because I can't remember where I parked my car), and I think I ran half of that.
Monday. Run 5km after training (even though I had blisters, ignore it, IGNORE IT!), the standard - oh wait, no, I changed that route. 4km, and out and back of 2km (including 2km of hills). I think around 25 minutes for that, which is pretty good given two things: my 4k time must be really soft at 24min (and I think it is, I think I could go sub 20 easily if I tried), and it didn't feel like I was out there running for that long. I didn't have lots left in my legs in terms of muscling myself up the hills: so lots of walking breaks. But good to go out again and have fun pushing myself, enjoy it, and feel like I was regaining some strength. Plus, first time in ages I'd run two days in a row.
Wednesday. The quality of running decreases...because my feet were still sore, and I had left my iPod in my coat :( So I ran without it after training. I think just 2.5km, and a pretty abysmal 2.5 as well. It's funny, either when I run with my iPod, I'm oblivious to any pain in my body, or, when I run without an iPod, I'm already grumpy, so therefore succeptible to being even more grumpy and woosy. Because my right shin hurt, a lot. It was so bizarre - it's never hurt before. It wouldn't let up. Most likely just where and how of my running, and the fact I was trying to avoid the blisters on the inner side of my right foot. I'm so whiny though. There's no toughness in me.
Hopefully I can run tonight, but that run is not to be too important as to superseed tomorrow morning's run. I always run well on Saturday mornings, and I enjoy it, and maybe 5-6km is do-able.
I think the key is, rather than trying to just run a minimum or smaller distance where I can run 100% of it, before I increase distances, that I should run longer (i.e. 5-6km, 30-40 minutes etc) even with walking breaks, because I'll improve more quickly, and my legs will get used to spending more time on my feet.
(Disclaimer: it's not because I'm terribly slack, it's just hard to be consistant when you're consistantly sore and tired from training 5x weekly. So I'm just consistant at being inconsistant).
Nothing has been stellar in terms of what others may perceive as 'high quality', but in terms of achieveing the important goals, I've done that.
Sunday: Want to know what a swamp smells like? I now know. The same with a mire. They smell like my shoes, which REEEEEK and still stink out the house, my room, my car, my feet, a 10km radius around them - anything, it doesn't matter. I can't get them to stop smelling, despite putting some 'anti odour' powder liberally through them.
The reason for this smell is because in the pouring rain on Sunday, I went for a 1hr50 minute run/walk adventure. I hadn't eaten breakfast beforehand either (some interesting research I need to conduct on this). I just went out with the aim of being totally relaxed, enjoying myself, and going for a long slow run. Important that I could still talk throughout it. I decided to try and have a consistant rest period, so I wouldn't get overtired.
So out I ran, decked out in my comfy comfy old old tights, a singlet, long sleeve shirt and iPod. After a while, the rain made it impossible for my iPod to stay in my ears - I hate that. So I ran with just one ear piece in for a while, and then neither. It was fun: I loved running through the local streets, smiling my head off, knowing that people were looking out of their car windows with amazement at the craziness I was demonstrating. I was soaked. At one point I stopped into my church to get a drink (and hoped no one would see a soaking me). I knew I hadn't worn great socks for running in the wet (--> blisters), so I decided to walk most of the way back to my car. My legs had no running left in them. But still, lots of fun, and lots of HILLS :D :D :D
Around 11.5-12km (because I can't remember where I parked my car), and I think I ran half of that.
Monday. Run 5km after training (even though I had blisters, ignore it, IGNORE IT!), the standard - oh wait, no, I changed that route. 4km, and out and back of 2km (including 2km of hills). I think around 25 minutes for that, which is pretty good given two things: my 4k time must be really soft at 24min (and I think it is, I think I could go sub 20 easily if I tried), and it didn't feel like I was out there running for that long. I didn't have lots left in my legs in terms of muscling myself up the hills: so lots of walking breaks. But good to go out again and have fun pushing myself, enjoy it, and feel like I was regaining some strength. Plus, first time in ages I'd run two days in a row.
Wednesday. The quality of running decreases...because my feet were still sore, and I had left my iPod in my coat :( So I ran without it after training. I think just 2.5km, and a pretty abysmal 2.5 as well. It's funny, either when I run with my iPod, I'm oblivious to any pain in my body, or, when I run without an iPod, I'm already grumpy, so therefore succeptible to being even more grumpy and woosy. Because my right shin hurt, a lot. It was so bizarre - it's never hurt before. It wouldn't let up. Most likely just where and how of my running, and the fact I was trying to avoid the blisters on the inner side of my right foot. I'm so whiny though. There's no toughness in me.
Hopefully I can run tonight, but that run is not to be too important as to superseed tomorrow morning's run. I always run well on Saturday mornings, and I enjoy it, and maybe 5-6km is do-able.
I think the key is, rather than trying to just run a minimum or smaller distance where I can run 100% of it, before I increase distances, that I should run longer (i.e. 5-6km, 30-40 minutes etc) even with walking breaks, because I'll improve more quickly, and my legs will get used to spending more time on my feet.
The massive update...acrobatic sports
Ok, so I've been a little slack with everything...just writing that up, that is! I think I'm three weeks behind??? Well, week 1 and 2 happened as per normal, only that I was so so so so sore, I could barely move, the entire time. Incredibly exhausted. I needed to do lots of sleeping.
Gym. Well, after the brilliance of my ro-flics, they've gone drastically down hill...let me give you an example from feedback from one of my coaches: "Wow, you're setting up for a really good layout!" As in, I've lost the ability to travel backwards, I keep on taking it up (like a back sault, shocking really *rolls eyes*), and basically it's a case of *maybe* I'll put my hands down. I'm whipping and I'd just rather do 4 whips on the rod this week than struggle to do ro-4 flics. So tumbling is going to be in-ter-est-ing on Sunday at comp.
Not sure if I will be able to tumble at comp, because shhhh be really quite about this: my back hurts a lot when I tumble or jump or run. Either way, after comp I'll have plenty of time to be taking a step back to get it perfectly right again. That means heaps more flics on tramp (and I did flic back sault, easy) and heaps more ro-flics onto mats in the pit...tumbling lower, and long, so hopefully I can engrave some technique into my head!
I did giants :D In straps, spotted "just in case", so essentially by myself. They're my first ones, and I was completely annoyed because I didn't get "new skill high" from doing them. There was nothing exciting about doing it...I did probably 8, 2 x just single giants, and then 3 x 2 in a row. I've really got to make sure I tap late (I'm an early tapper); it was great to be able to see Anthony point to exactly where I needed to be. I could two swings, then giant: the second swing had great block which was at reverse handstand. No worries.
Tramp. Well, we've got comp on Sunday, so we've been doing routine work until the cows come home. We took the rudi out of my vol; it's been too inconsistant with linking it into the next skill. Sometimes it's fantastic and feels easy, other times it just doesn't work for me. It's a skill where one of my big issues with it is not knowing how to cope when I've got a lot of time (height), which is odd, because that never happens in any other skill. So that's something to learn and try and work on. Surely with time and practice, I think this skill in combination will come. I'm just a little confused and uncertain as to what I've got to do exactly, every single time, and when. But it's staying in my set, because my DTBs are double in, back out drills. Oooh, I've just thought of a new skill I can do for 1.6 in DD game! Oh damn, I'd have to do that straight (I was going to go for full full straight for 1.6), but hey, the 1.4 spot is a bit vacant at the moment (with either a HIHO P, FO S or now DIBO T).
It was a great feeling on Wednesday to be able to get up on tramp and do my work (F7/L7) first go, with no struggles. I was in a crappy crappy crappy mood, my back was hurting a lot, but I didn't want to say anything (because they'd make me get off the tramp and just do strength for the next week), and also because I wanted to jump and compete. But it was hard trying to convince myself that I just needed to ignore it and work through it. I had told myself that that was what I was going to do: just train as if nothing was wrong, so no one would know. But it was difficult not to be whingy (when I had right to be), and hard not to have self doubt in your ability to jump and do things.
Anyway, routine is going fine, bar the landing of the double pike. I wish I was doing 4 doubles now (with HO T-DB T). It's annoying that my three doubles still only = 7.1 DD (because of repeat skill).
My half out, back saults are getting so good - they're consistantly good. Overall, I'm getting better at maintaining my height. Eg. in my set, ho T, b/s P, bar S - I'm starting to understand that yes, I am at a great height, don't just cut yourself down lower because it's "easier" to deal with. Try as hard as you can to relax, and maintain and gain height. HO P, b/s in routines is SOOO much better as well. half out pikes are getting a LOT easier, which is great. I've consistantly been in a great spot to do ho, bs, ho, and also, ho p, db t. I can't wait until the week after the comp where we start putting new skills together and solely training new skills (no routines for me until December!). The grand ambition of two of my coaches is to start with three doubles together, ending double pike. I'm hoping that changes to a four double start, ending FO S; I'm sure I'll also have to compromise to allow that dreaded full half to be in the mix somewhere. Oooooh, and I'm so excited, I can't wait to be able to put HIHO on tramp.
Full outs...well, I turned two on Wednesday. The first one didn't have enough rotation, and barely twisted, so essentially was a back cruise duck with an extra 1/4 turn. (landing on tummy). The second one, HAHAHA, ooooh it was so much fun. I know I twisted at the wrong time :D But it felt good still, and I knew I hadn't got 'lost'. So technically I did a full twisting double straight, but where exactly the twist was located....I think it was BETWEEN the two saults. Probably a little full-in ish. Hehehe, my teammates were a bit concerned, but I wasn't! No matter how many drills I do for anything, I think I still will do that one freak mistiming of any skill I learn. I did that with half out pikes (turning in the first sault), occasionally I also did it learning half outs. I did it with HIHO, and I do it all the time with full halves. But I'm the kind of person who needs to make that mistake, in order to know exactly what not to do next time. Hence, I've never turned a half out in the wrong phasing since, I've never turned an arabian to the left by mistake since, and most likely I will never again have the same problem with full outs again.
Interesting notion too - I think my FOs were really whippy, because my double layout isn't the greatest in the world. I know that physically (both physically and by the laws of physics), it's "easier" to keep straight in a FO around than a double lay, but still, I think the start of mine may have imitates B's too much - her shoulders down and whipping.
Ok, massive speeching done. I think. I could rant and rant about strength, but that's a bit of a moot point at the moment.
Gym. Well, after the brilliance of my ro-flics, they've gone drastically down hill...let me give you an example from feedback from one of my coaches: "Wow, you're setting up for a really good layout!" As in, I've lost the ability to travel backwards, I keep on taking it up (like a back sault, shocking really *rolls eyes*), and basically it's a case of *maybe* I'll put my hands down. I'm whipping and I'd just rather do 4 whips on the rod this week than struggle to do ro-4 flics. So tumbling is going to be in-ter-est-ing on Sunday at comp.
Not sure if I will be able to tumble at comp, because shhhh be really quite about this: my back hurts a lot when I tumble or jump or run. Either way, after comp I'll have plenty of time to be taking a step back to get it perfectly right again. That means heaps more flics on tramp (and I did flic back sault, easy) and heaps more ro-flics onto mats in the pit...tumbling lower, and long, so hopefully I can engrave some technique into my head!
I did giants :D In straps, spotted "just in case", so essentially by myself. They're my first ones, and I was completely annoyed because I didn't get "new skill high" from doing them. There was nothing exciting about doing it...I did probably 8, 2 x just single giants, and then 3 x 2 in a row. I've really got to make sure I tap late (I'm an early tapper); it was great to be able to see Anthony point to exactly where I needed to be. I could two swings, then giant: the second swing had great block which was at reverse handstand. No worries.
Tramp. Well, we've got comp on Sunday, so we've been doing routine work until the cows come home. We took the rudi out of my vol; it's been too inconsistant with linking it into the next skill. Sometimes it's fantastic and feels easy, other times it just doesn't work for me. It's a skill where one of my big issues with it is not knowing how to cope when I've got a lot of time (height), which is odd, because that never happens in any other skill. So that's something to learn and try and work on. Surely with time and practice, I think this skill in combination will come. I'm just a little confused and uncertain as to what I've got to do exactly, every single time, and when. But it's staying in my set, because my DTBs are double in, back out drills. Oooh, I've just thought of a new skill I can do for 1.6 in DD game! Oh damn, I'd have to do that straight (I was going to go for full full straight for 1.6), but hey, the 1.4 spot is a bit vacant at the moment (with either a HIHO P, FO S or now DIBO T).
It was a great feeling on Wednesday to be able to get up on tramp and do my work (F7/L7) first go, with no struggles. I was in a crappy crappy crappy mood, my back was hurting a lot, but I didn't want to say anything (because they'd make me get off the tramp and just do strength for the next week), and also because I wanted to jump and compete. But it was hard trying to convince myself that I just needed to ignore it and work through it. I had told myself that that was what I was going to do: just train as if nothing was wrong, so no one would know. But it was difficult not to be whingy (when I had right to be), and hard not to have self doubt in your ability to jump and do things.
Anyway, routine is going fine, bar the landing of the double pike. I wish I was doing 4 doubles now (with HO T-DB T). It's annoying that my three doubles still only = 7.1 DD (because of repeat skill).
My half out, back saults are getting so good - they're consistantly good. Overall, I'm getting better at maintaining my height. Eg. in my set, ho T, b/s P, bar S - I'm starting to understand that yes, I am at a great height, don't just cut yourself down lower because it's "easier" to deal with. Try as hard as you can to relax, and maintain and gain height. HO P, b/s in routines is SOOO much better as well. half out pikes are getting a LOT easier, which is great. I've consistantly been in a great spot to do ho, bs, ho, and also, ho p, db t. I can't wait until the week after the comp where we start putting new skills together and solely training new skills (no routines for me until December!). The grand ambition of two of my coaches is to start with three doubles together, ending double pike. I'm hoping that changes to a four double start, ending FO S; I'm sure I'll also have to compromise to allow that dreaded full half to be in the mix somewhere. Oooooh, and I'm so excited, I can't wait to be able to put HIHO on tramp.
Full outs...well, I turned two on Wednesday. The first one didn't have enough rotation, and barely twisted, so essentially was a back cruise duck with an extra 1/4 turn. (landing on tummy). The second one, HAHAHA, ooooh it was so much fun. I know I twisted at the wrong time :D But it felt good still, and I knew I hadn't got 'lost'. So technically I did a full twisting double straight, but where exactly the twist was located....I think it was BETWEEN the two saults. Probably a little full-in ish. Hehehe, my teammates were a bit concerned, but I wasn't! No matter how many drills I do for anything, I think I still will do that one freak mistiming of any skill I learn. I did that with half out pikes (turning in the first sault), occasionally I also did it learning half outs. I did it with HIHO, and I do it all the time with full halves. But I'm the kind of person who needs to make that mistake, in order to know exactly what not to do next time. Hence, I've never turned a half out in the wrong phasing since, I've never turned an arabian to the left by mistake since, and most likely I will never again have the same problem with full outs again.
Interesting notion too - I think my FOs were really whippy, because my double layout isn't the greatest in the world. I know that physically (both physically and by the laws of physics), it's "easier" to keep straight in a FO around than a double lay, but still, I think the start of mine may have imitates B's too much - her shoulders down and whipping.
Ok, massive speeching done. I think. I could rant and rant about strength, but that's a bit of a moot point at the moment.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
gym good again...
I did 20 more ro-flics onto mats in the pit, and then set myself up for them on floor...first one, my friend asked if I wanted a spot, I said no...landed on my head partially. Second one (after a little while), I asked her to stand in...and then proceeded to do one FANTASTIC Ro-flic, with perfect timing, distance, shape and rebound...and then told her she could go away :D I did 20 more, they're soooo good, I'm in a great spot to do several more...easy easy easy.
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